independent Cornish news and comment

Kerrier: YOUNGSTERS SNAP UP ‘FLATS OF THE FUTURE’

A landmark new homes project in Camborne, with “flats of the future” replacing a piece of the town’s industrial history, will be completed next month (Aug 2006) with all 56 units already sold.


Vyvyan’s Court, replacing rundown factory buildings once occupied by Holman Brothers, the Co-op and Neale Dataday printing works, was this week hailed by the developer as “an outstanding success in the face of initial hostility.”

The scheme was originally opposed by local councillors forecasting “a ghetto of the future” and a “carbuncle.”

But a slightly revised plan was approved after a furious response from neighbouring residents who warmly welcomed the plan – and which has ironically now been selected for showcase treatment in a Parliamentary Diary TV documentary.

David Worlledge, managing director of Affordable Homes of Cornwall Ltd (AHOC), said that for some 90 per cent of the buyers Vyvyan’s Court had enabled them to realise their lifelong dreams of securing homes of their own.

And a third of them had done so with the aid of AHOC’s pioneering aheardstart4u.com scheme. With a price discount converted into additional annual ground rent, this had resulted in sales for as little as £58,500.

“I wish some of those councillors originally against this scheme could meet some of our buyers or come in and read the pile of testimonials we have received,” said Mr Worlledge.

“These people have told us that their lives have been changed by this opportunity to get onto the property ladder – something which until now they had just had no hope of achieving. The whole scheme has exceeded our wildest expectations.”

He added: “Critics said it couldn’t be done. The conventional wisdom has always been that good quality starter homes could not be provided by the private sector, without any public subsidy, for sale at genuinely affordable prices.

“We have exploded that myth. We are making things happen in a county where action is desperately needed – easing the problem in efficient, speedy and economical fashion.”

Now in its fourth year, AHOC has completed 135 homes with developments in Redruth (Agar Court and Newton Court) as well as Vyvyan’s Court and Cameo Court in Camborne and Roach’s Court in Carbis Bay.

The company has a growing number of projects either under way or being pursued at various other locations in Cornwall.

All will be in the Vyvyan’s Court “flats of the future” mould, as Mr Worlledge explains: “All our flats are offered at extremely competitive prices. They are good quality homes, rapidly built with sustainable materials and with wholly exceptional noise insulation levels thanks to innovative new designs.

“They are built to a high specification for a modern living environment. The properties are offered with good specification kitchen and shower room and also have a double-size bedroom and living area.”